Open Educational Resources and English as a Second Language

Level: TLEE; Skill: Writing; Resource type: Textbook
Description: A revision of Successful College Composition, which was in turn a revision of Writing for Success. This textbook uses the writing process approach.

Level: TLEE; Skills: Writing; REsource Type: Textbook; Description This is a writing textbook with the theme of Universal Human Rights. The approach is Writing Process with a focus on Discussion Essay, Definition Essay and Cause and Effect Essay. As of Nov 2022, this textbook is in pilot stage.

License: “This courseware includes resources copyrighted and openly licensed by multiple individuals and organizations. Click the words “Licenses and Attributions” at the bottom of each page for copyright and licensing information specific to the material on that page.”
Level: TLEE; Skill: writing; Resource type: Textbook
Description: Composition instruction including success skills, reading strategies, writing process, research process and grammar.

Level: TLEE; Skills: Writing; Description: This writing course for advanced students of ESOL offers an integrated approach to metacognition and critical thinking skills, research and source evaluation skills, standard composition and grammar skills, and academic vocabulary skills.

Advanced Academic Grammar for ESL Students (Al Haider) – GoogleDocs (CC BY)
Level: 1 Below TLEE, TLEE; Skills: grammar, reading; Resource type: Textbook
Description: Advanced grammar instruction using an integrated skills approach including listening, reading, editing, and speaking.

Level: 1 below TLEE, TLEE; Skills: writing, reading, vocabulary, all
Resource Type: Course
Reading and writing are the primary focus. Reading texts are links to authentic readings. Topics covered include MLA/APA, rhetorical strategies, audience and purpose, and forming arguments.

Level: TLEE,1 below TLEE; Skills: writing, research, APA, MLA, Presentations
Resource type: Online Course, Reference text
Description: Online writing lab with videos and interactive quizzes about the writing process, APA and MLA, plagiarism, common grammar errors (mostly for native speakers), and argumentation.

Level: 1 below TLEE, TLEE; Skills: writing, reading, vocabulary; Resource type: Textbook
Description: Thematic, integrated skills textbook based on Greek mythology with advanced level grammar, reading strategies, and writing instruction.

Level: TLEE, 1 Level below, 2 levels below; Skills: pronunciation; Resource Type: Textbook
Description from text: “This textbook includes materials on listening, speaking, lexicogrammar, pragmatics, and pronunciation. This digital book is meant to serve as an instructional tool for both learners and teachers in the field of pronunciation. Topics covered include vowel and consonant sounds, word stress, thought groups, prominence, and intonation.”

Level: TLEE, 1 below TLEE; Skills: writing, reading, student success; Resource Type: Textbook
Description: This English Composition textbook is adapted from Writing for Success with additional scaffolding and context for ESL students.

Level: 1-below TLEE; Skills: Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking, Grammar;
Resource type: Thematic Module
Description This is a thematic, integrated skills unit on food and culture with links to authentic texts

Level: 1-below TLEE; Skills: Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking, Grammar;
Resource type: Thematic Module
Description: This is a thematic, integrated-skills unit on media literacy with links to authentic texts.

Level: 1 below TLEE; Skills: Reading, vocabulary: Resource type: Textbook
Description: Textbook with accompanying PowerPoint slides covers reading strategies for advanced readers. Articles, poems, videos about conformity/non-conformity range from Jackie Robinson, Dead Poets Society, George Takei, Trump’s Wall, and more. Vocabulary worksheets included. Interactive multimedia resource.

Level: One Below TLEE; Skills: Reading, Vocabulary Resource type: Textbook; Description: This is an advanced reading strategies textbook with various themes such as Sleep, Robots, Games, Work Distractions, Fashion, and Tipping.

ASCCC Open Educational Resources Initiative (OERI) (CC BY-NC)
Level: 1-below TLEE; Skill: Writing, Reading, Research;
Resource Type: Textbook
Description: Thematic, integrated skills textbook includes reading strategies, essay structure, research strategies,  reasoning, and revising skills.

Type: Set of Materials including Course Outline, Docs, Plans. Not “plug and play” but need to be adapted to fit own context. From source, the book “fosters empathy, breaks down stereotypes, and encourages open-mindedness” and is inspired by The Human Library® (where the people are the book).

Reading Skills for Upper Intermediate ESOL students. From source: “It has a STE(A)M theme in which each chapter presents readings about a particular invention. Many readings focus on the science, but others incorporate lateral thinking by addressing social implications, history, and offshoot ideas…”

Level: 3 below TLEE,2 below TLEE: Skills: Grammar instruction, writing: Resource type: Multi-media (interactive, audio-visuals)
From the text: “This is a collection of interactive Google Forms to complement a series of instructional videos by Shaun Macleod and Mark Roberts of SmrtEnglish. Each exercise includes a short video along with original, self-grading comprehension questions and analysis of contextual grammar examples designed for upper-level writing students of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).

Level: 2 below TLEE; Skills: Reading, grammar instruction, vocabulary, listening, speaking, writing, Presentations, using technology; Resource type: Textbook, workbook, reader, and course pack with instructional essays about creating a digital story.
Description: This textbook would be useful for a digital storytelling project. Course pack may be accessed at the link under “readable” or through BC Open repository. Multimedia texts organized thematically using a genre approach.

Level: 2 below TLEE; Skills: reading, writing, vocabulary; Resource type: Textbook
Description: Intermediate-level reading/writing textbook uses themes from the novel Uprising. Includes pre-reading, comprehension questions, graphic organizers, and writing prompts.

This thematic integrated-skills textbook includes reading, writing, speaking and listening activities on themes such as Psychology, US History and Lifespans. CEFR B2 level.

Level: Two below TLEE; Skills: Listening, speaking, reading writing, grammar; Resource type: Textbook; Description: An integrated-skills intermediate grammar textbook.

Level: 2 below TLEE, 1 below TLEE; Skills: listening, speaking, vocabulary; Resource type: Course
Description: Audio-visual texts (e.g., This American Life and TED Talks) accompanied by lesson plans, worksheets, and slide presentation. Includes worksheets and instructions on strategies for listening, presentations, research, and more. Multimedia, interactive, complete and accurate. Uses authentic texts and is organized thematically using an integrated skills approach.

Level: 2 below TLEE, 1 below TLEE; Skills: listening, speaking, pronunciation, vocabulary; Resource type: Workbook; Multimedia (interactive, audio-visuals). 
Description: Workbook teaches IPA, pronunciation (stress, intonation), vocabulary and presentation skills using an integrated skills approach through examples from Hamilton.

Level: 2 below TLEE: Skills: reading, vocabulary; Resource type: Textbook
Description: An intermediate reading and vocabulary textbook about teachers and students in Portland. Comprehension questions, discussion questions, reading strategies, vocabulary from AWL.

License: 3 below TLEE: Skills: Grammar instruction, vocabulary, writing, reading
Resource type: Textbook, Workbook
Reader and course pack. The theme is British Columbia mysteries.

Level: 3 below TLEE; Skills: grammar instruction, reading, vocabulary, listening, speaking, writing: Resource type: Textbook, Workbook
Reader and course pack about human rights and biographies. Course pack is available at the link under “readable” or search BC Open repository.

Level: 3 below TLEE; Skills: grammar instruction, reading, vocabulary, writing
Resource type: Textbook, Workbook
Reader and Course Pack about the brain (intuition, how we learn, memory, etc).  Course pack is available at the link under ”readable” or search BC Open repository.

Level: 3 below TLEE; Skills: listening, speaking, grammar; Resource type: Textbook
Multimedia listening and speaking textbook with chapter themes such as jobs, travel, introductions, food. Text comes with audio links to listening activities. Approach: Integrated skills, thematic.

Level: 3 below TLEE; Skill: Reading. Resource Type: Course
Canvas Commons course based on the novel The Wishtree. Companion grammar course can also be found in Canvas Commons.

Also on Canvas Commons (CC BY-NC-SA)
Level: 3 below TLEE: Skills: grammar instruction, vocabulary, reading, speaking, listening, writing. Resource type: Thematic Module
From the author: “In this ESL module you will learn how to interview a classmate and write a profile, or short biography. The module includes reading and vocabulary lessons, listening and speaking exercises, writing practice and grammar lessons.” Authentic text organized thematically.

Level: 3 below TLEE; Skills: grammar, writing; Resource type: Textbook
Textbook, classic paragraph-to-essay focus. Focus on rhetorical modes (narrative, compare-contrast) Some grammar included. Topic sentences, formatting.

Also on Canvas Commons (CC BY-NC-SA)
Level: 3 below TLEE; Skills: grammar instruction, vocabulary, speaking, reading, listening, writing.
Resource type: Thematic Module
From the text: “This module has materials to learn and practice language skills at the intermediate level in college ESL. It is recommended for the first few weeks of a semester, since it covers fundamental sentence grammar and basic email communication etiquette.” Authentic texts organized thematically.

Level: 3 below TLEE; Skill: pronunciation; Resource type: Modules
Multimedia thematic modules. These modules integrate with other level modules ‘Getting to Know You’ and ‘People and Places’ by Ferguson, also on Libretexts. Authentic texts thematically organized.

Level: Four or more below TLEE; Skills: Integrated; Resource Type: Textbook; Description: This reading skills workbook for low intermediate students of English is centered on the theme of hobbies such as gardening, pets, board games, music, TV, sports, social media and cooking.

Level: 4 or more below TLEE; Skills: Reading, writing, spelling and phonics, vocabulary; Resource type: Textbook, Workbook
Reader and course pack. Word and sentence level. Focus on phonics and vocabulary building. Easy to access. Course pack is available at the link under ”readable” or go through BC Open repository.

Level: 4 or more below TLEE; Skills: reading, vocabulary, writing, spelling and phonics; Resource type: Textbook, Workbook
Reader and course pack about Langston Hughes. Focus is vocabulary building, beginning grammar, phonics, and spelling. Sentence writing and listening. Easy to access, multimedia, accurate. Authentic texts organized thematically. Course pack can be accessed by following the link under ”readable” or through BC Open repository.

Level: 4 or more below TLEE; Skills: Vocabulary, reading, speaking, writing; Approach: Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS)
Resource type: slides, lesson plans
Description: Beginning lessons for 2-4 (or more) weeks of a 6 unit course. The units are intended for the instructor of the courses to use while leading the lessons with aural and verbal comprehension checks. The materials include videos, slideshows, vocabulary sheets, readings (such as original stories), teacher scripts, and simple assessments.

Level: 4 or more below TLEE; Skills: vocabulary, literacy; Resource type: printable pdf graphics
From the text: “These printable materials were created for beginning literacy-level adult learners and newly arrived immigrants and refugees who need to develop basic vocabulary to survive and function in our communities. In addition, the materials focus on developing pre-reading skills and pre-writing skills. The 22 units are flexible and can be easily adapted to meet the needs of your learners.”

Level: 4 or more below TLEE
Skills: Vocabulary, reading, speaking, writing; Resource type: Canvas Commons course 
Description: Slide shows and worksheets that guide students to learn about careers and build interview skills.

Level: 4 or more below TLEE; Skills: grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing
Resource type: Textbook, Workbook
Description: Multimedia (interactive, audio-visuals). Short beginning textbook with ten chapters. Each chapter has pictures with sentences, followed by interactive activities. Beginning level students learn vocab such as mother, father, holiday, married and grammar such as is/are.

Level: 4 or more below TLEE, 3 below TLEE: Skills: functional-notional, listening, speaking, reading, writing; Resource type: Textbook
Interactive, accurate and easy to access. Texts are not authentic but have authentic qualities (e.g., L/S video examples use authentic language and student actors). Focus is not academic.

Level: 4 or more below TLEE; Skills: reading, vocabulary, listening, speaking, functional-notional; Resource type: Textbook
Description: Interactive, integrated-skills, multimedia textbook. Texts are not authentic but genre-based (e.g., workplace forms). Appropriate for a low level class with a workplace focus.

Level: 4 or more below TLEE; Skills: literacy, phonics; Resource Type: Slides
Description: A set of slides teaching the alphabet and beginning sound-letter correspondence.

Level: 4 or more below TLEE, 3 below TLEE: Skills: grammar instruction, writing
Resource type: Textbook, Workbook
Description: Textbook using form-focused instruction for word-to-sentence-to-paragraph writing. Covers parts of speech, sentence word order, spelling, paragraph writing.

Level: 4 or more below TLEE; Skills: grammar, functional-notional; Resource type: Workbook
Description: This interactive workbook allows students to watch ESL videos (grammar and functional-notional) and complete worksheets and games based on the grammar point. Interactive, multimedia, complete, accurate and easy to access.

Level: 4 or more Below TLEE; Skills: Reading and Vocabulary; Resource Type: Leveled reader; Description: These two low-intermediate readers include quizlets, comprehension and vocabulary activities.